The James River Heritage Trail in the Blackwater Creek Natural Area is one of the premier urban trails in the state, passing through lush forest as well as the heart of historic, industrial downtown...

Spanning more than 20 miles, the Rivanna Trail surrounds Charlottesville, connecting several parks along the way and providing a recreational outdoor amenity for city dwellers. The trail has a mix of...

The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail offers a quintessential rail-trail experience in central Virginia, midway between Lynchburg and Charlottesville (less than an hour’s drive from each). The trail...

Spanning more than 20 miles, the Rivanna Trail surrounds Charlottesville, connecting several parks along the way and providing a recreational outdoor amenity for city dwellers. The trail has a mix of...

The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail offers a quintessential rail-trail experience in central Virginia, midway between Lynchburg and Charlottesville (less than an hour’s drive from each). The trail...

The James River Heritage Trail in the Blackwater Creek Natural Area is one of the premier urban trails in the state, passing through lush forest as well as the heart of historic, industrial downtown...

Spanning more than 20 miles, the Rivanna Trail surrounds Charlottesville, connecting several parks along the way and providing a recreational outdoor amenity for city dwellers. The trail has a mix of...

The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail offers a quintessential rail-trail experience in central Virginia, midway between Lynchburg and Charlottesville (less than an hour’s drive from each). The trail...

The James River Heritage Trail in the Blackwater Creek Natural Area is one of the premier urban trails in the state, passing through lush forest as well as the heart of historic, industrial downtown...

Spanning more than 20 miles, the Rivanna Trail surrounds Charlottesville, connecting several parks along the way and providing a recreational outdoor amenity for city dwellers. The trail has a mix of...

The James River Heritage Trail in the Blackwater Creek Natural Area is one of the premier urban trails in the state, passing through lush forest as well as the heart of historic, industrial downtown...

The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail offers a quintessential rail-trail experience in central Virginia, midway between Lynchburg and Charlottesville (less than an hour’s drive from each). The trail...

Recent Trail Reviews

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

Great Casual Ride!!

Nice nearly flat trail along the Piney River. Simple out and back for those that want an easy workout or have children and don't want to deal with crowds. Secluded and easy to navigate. I recommend for those that are nearby.

I drove here from Culpeper VA. Not sure I would go this distance for this ride again, but it was a good day for the wife and I to get some miles in the legs early in the season.

Rivanna Trail

disappointed

We started in Riverview Park and had a nice ride north for 2 miles then the trail turned to a path that you needed a mountain bike to navigate, so disappointed we returned to our car. We were excited to read about a trail around Charlottsville but very disappointed to learn that it wasn't a reality.

Chessie Nature Trail

Stop complaining.

This trail is very nice and honestly i don't understand why everyone is complaining. The cows don't care about you for the most part and even if they do they are just being curious. The Chessie trail doesn't own that farm and has no say as to what the farmer cares to keep in his field. The trail has also been made more bike accessible with small, person and bike sized gates so you don't have to lift bikes anymore.

Chessie Nature Trail

Last Gate Obstacle On Chessie Finally Removed

For a couple of years now the Friends Of The Chessie Trail have been installing pedestrian/bike gates next to the large farm gates that were often difficult or impossible to open. The last pedestrian gate was recently installed on the Buena Vista end of the trail, and now you can bike from one end to the other without having to lift your bike over a gate.

There are still a couple of places where you will have to exercise care or dismount to go around one of the large gates. Those gates are at the Buena Vista trailhead and and at the South River. VMI has plans to replace those gates with bollards which will allow easy passage by pedestrians and cyclists. Hopefully we'll see action on this soon.

James River Heritage Trail (Blackwater Creek Natural Area)

Great trail packed w/ wonderful things to see!

Rode this trail in September. The trail is paved and a comfortable ride. Has so many great things to see on the ride! Beautiful bridges (one is a locks bridge where people have put various locks to represent marriage, friendships etc) , waterfall, awesome lighted tunnel, and a cancer memorial park at one end. This is a "rails to trail" trail and very neat! Loved the ride and scenery. Not hilly so a GREAT ride for families!

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

Great family trail

We were very happy with this ride! Great trail for families with young children. Our 12-year old had fun and we were able to easily pull our daughter along in a bicycle trailer since the path is a nice smooth surface the entire way. Very scenic, saw lots of wildlife, and was able to stop and let the kids play in the river at the end!

Chessie Nature Trail

Gates and Cow "pies"!

We rode the trail today starting in Buena Vista. There was one locked gate that required us to hand our bikes over the cattle fence and several farm gates that were passable. At one location, there were about a dozen cows and a donkey that were "on" the trail, making passage difficult. Along this stretch of the trail, cattle are grazed and there were multiple places with fresh cow dung.

Chessie Nature Trail

Average Trail

I started in Lexington, first of all parking is very limited at this end and I didn't see any signs for parking. The first few miles are very nice with scenic views of the Maury River. Then I came upon a gate which you had to go through because the trail extends on private property. There was a cow lying next to the gate on the other side which made it impossible to open. On top of that there were other cows or steers lying on the trail and it was full of manure so I headed back. Doubt if I would do this trail again.

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

great leisurely ride

Just getting back on my bicycle and wanted a non-hilly ride to encourage my efforts at getting some exercise. The trailhead was well-marked and lots of parking. A pleasant ride as most of the trail is shaded. The scenery is lovely with the river adjacent. We went on a weekday morning and there were very few others on the trail. The just-under 14 miles was a perfect first ride.

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

Fun scenic trail

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail

Great Ride

What a way to spend a Saturday morning in April. As another reviewer stated it is a hidden gem in the mountains. The trail is relatively flat, there is one slight grade that is very doable for any rider. My only complaint is that i wished i lived closer to ride it more often. If you are staying in the Charlottesville area you should definitely give this one a try. You won't be disappointed in the beauty.